Statistical Estimation of Surface Heat Control and Exchange in Endotherms

In this paper, we combine polynomial functions, Generalized Estimating Equations, and bootstrap-based model selection to test for signatures of linear or nonlinear relationships between body surface temperature and ambient temperature in endotherms. Linearity or nonlinearity is associated with the absence or presence of cutaneous vasodilation and vasoconstriction, respectively. We obtained experimental data on body surface temperature variation from a mammalian model organism as a function of ambient temperature using infrared thermal imaging. The statistical framework of model estimation and selection successfully detected linear and nonlinear relationships between body surface temperature and ambient temperature for different body regions of the model organism. These results demonstrate that our statistical approach is instrumental to assess the complexity of thermoregulation in endotherms.

Morphological traits explain the individual position within resource-consumer networks of a Neotropical marsupial

Knowledge regarding the influence of individual traits on interaction patterns in nature can help understand the topological role of individuals within a network of intrapopulation interactions.We tested hypotheses on the relationships between individuals'positions within networks(specialization and centrality)of 4 populations of the mouse opossum Gracilinanus agilis and their traits(i.e.,body length,body condition,tail length relative to body length,sex,reproductive condition,and botfly parasitism)and also seasonal effects in the Brazilian savanna.Individuals with lower body length,better body condition,and relatively shorter tail were more specialized(i.e.,less connected within the network).Individuals were also more specialized and less connected during the warm-wet season.The relationship between individuals'position in the network and body traits,however,was independent of season.We propose that specialization may arise not only as a result of preferred feed-ing strategies by more capable individuals(i.e.,those with better body condition and potentially prone to defend and access high-quality food resources)but alsobecause of morphological constraints.Smaller/younger individuals(consequently with less experience in foraging)and short-tailed individuals(less skilled to explore the vertical strata of the vegetation)would feed only on a subset of the available food resources and consequently become more specialized.Moreover,individuals are more specialized during the warm-wet season because of high competition(population-dense period)and higher ecological opportunities(resource-rich period).Therefore,our study reveals the relevance of individual traits inshaping interactionpatternsandspecialization inpopulations.